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Online Therapy Through World of Warcraft?

UK psychiatrist prepares to take his therapy sessions into Azeroth to reach the addicted.

The Telegraph Online has published a report which details one UK-based psychiatrist's efforts to reach kids who are chronically addicted to World of Warcraft. Dr. Richard Graham plans on helping his fellow psychiatrists as they roll up characters and enter Azeroth in an attempt to reach chronically addicted kids and teens.

He has called on Blizzard Entertainment, the company that makes World of Warcraft, to waive or discount the costs associated with joining the game so that therapists can more easily communicate with at-risk players in their preferred environment.

"We will be launching this project by the end of the year. I think it's already clear that psychiatrists will have to stay within the parameters of the game. They certainly wouldn't be wandering around the game in white coats and would have to use the same characters available to other players," said Dr Graham.

The doctor notes that professional psychiatrists might be very skilled at their jobs, but not so much at actually playing World of Warcraft.

A slight case of overreaction?

Bryn says: Look. I know this is a serious matter to those families that have members suffering from addiction to online videogames, but I really think that this guy here is pissing in the wind. If he thinks that a bunch of psychiatrists masquerading as Orcs and Night Elves will a) be able to get out of the n00b zones in less than a week and b) be able to get through to hardcore WoW players in-game, then he's in for a bit of a surprise.